McDonough ILGenWeb

RISSER, P., one of the most successful farmers and stock-raisers of McDonough County, Ill., was born in Ashland County, Ohio, on February 3, 1838, and there in boyhood received his mental training in the public schools. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Snyder) Risser, natives of Germany, being the seventh in a family of ten children. The parents both died in Ashland County, where the father was engaged in farming. Mr. Risser came to McDonough County about the year 1862, and located in Blandinsville Township. In 1869 he made his first purchase of land, buying 115 acres in Hire Township from Nathan Hensley. He now owns 490 acres in all — 133 acres in Section 35, Blandinsville Township, and the remainder in Sections 2 and 3, Hire Township. He has always followed farming and stock-raising, and feeds large numbers of cattle. He has made the greater portion of the improvements on his land.

On November 1, 1866, Mr. Risser was married to Ora Locke, who was born near Burr Oak, Ind., on October 22, 1848. Her parents, Thomas and Grissella (Gardner) Locke, were natives of Pennsylvania, while her grandparents were born in Germany. The six children of this union were: Hattie (Mrs. W. K. Quinn), who resides in Blandinsville Township; Lillian (Mrs. J. E. Stickle), who lives near Bushnell; Clara (Mrs. W. M. Welsh), also a resident of Blandinsville Township; Florence; Gillman T. and Ruby. In politics, Mr. Risser is a Republican, and fraternally, is identified with the A. F. & A. M. — both lodge and chapter.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 991-992, extracted 29 May 2020 by Norma Hass.